Top 10 Memorable TV Moments of 2016

After doing a list for big screen moments of 2016, it’s now the small screen’s turn.  As it was with my list for memorable movie moments, a featured moment in this list could be either positive or negative, joyful or heartbreaking, gratifying or infuriating, as long as it left a striking, “easy-to-recall” impression on me.

Honorable mentions: Battle of the Bastards (Game of Thrones); Karasuno beat Shiratorizawa for the Miyagi Prefecture Championship (Haikyuu!!); Leonad Snart a.k.a. Captain Cold’s ultimate sacrifice (Legends of Tomorrow); Dr. Stein sings “Edelweiss” (Legends of Tomorrow); Saw reference in Venture Bros.; Ash lost in the Pokemon League… AGAIN! (Pokemon)

10.)

Here’s the thing.  I didn’t enjoy the second season of Mr. Robot as much as I did its first (that’s why it didn’t make my top 20 list for 2016 TV shows, when it was the ninth placer of my 2015 list).  Season two started to feel a tad pretentious, and seemed to be delivering plot twists just for the sake of having them.  But I really liked how the episode “Man in the Trunk” started off as if it was an 80’s sitcom centered on Elliot and his family (Alf even had a cameo).  Later, it was revealed that this was simply another defense mechanism brought by Elliot’s psychosis, to detach himself from the pain of getting beaten up. Definitely more clever than “Elliot is in prison all along” twist.

Top 20 TV Shows of 2016

For 2016, I decided to make a “top 20” list instead of just a “top 10” like the previous years. 

20.) DOCTOR WHO

Doctor Who didn’t have a full season last year, but it had a Christmas special, which saw the Doctor teaming up with a superhero called “The Ghost” against an alien invasion.  Titled “The Return of Doctor Mysterio,” it wasn’t as clever and delightful as what Doctor Who usually is, nor is it as great as 2015’s Christmas special, “The Husbands of River Song.”  But it was still tremendously fun, and effectively whet my appetite for season 10.

I’m Glad I Didn’t Give Up on ‘Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency’

I’ve not read any of Douglas Adams’ Dirk Gently novels.  But I have a vague idea on what it’s about: a quirky detective who solves cases by seemingly doing random activities, but they all add up to contribute in some way to the solution of the mystery.  I did read Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, so I’m familiar, at least, of Adams’ humor and writing style.  I enjoyed it, but honestly, I didn’t really love it.

If only those I’ve mentioned above are considered, they’re probably not enough to compel me to watch this TV series adaptation.  But the main reason why this show intrigued me is it’s created for TV by Max Landis, who I’m somewhat of a fan of.  I think the man has a genuine talent for conceptualizing interesting story ideas, though they don’t necessarily always translate well on screen.  But as far as fresh, intriguing concepts for stories are concerned, he really knows how to devise these highly imaginative premises and plot points.  Also, he wrote the Superman: American Alien comic book mini-series, one of the best Superman re-imaginings ever.

So I gave the show a go.

‘The Expanse’ Hits a Lot of Science Fiction Marks

The Expanse debuted in 2015, and the first season ended early in 2016.  But it was only last December that I got to watch it.

Based on a series of novels by James S. A. Corey (which I haven’t read), The Expanse is a science fiction TV series from SyFy (the same network that brought two other science fiction TV shows I’ve liked in the past few years, 12 Monkeys and Defiance).  Fusing the space opera, cyberpunk, political thriller, and mystery noir genres, its 10-episode debut season features engaging storytelling, grounded dialogue, believable acting, well thought out worldbuilding, and impressive production value and cinematography for a TV show. 

'The K2' Unfortunately Loses Its Way in Its Intricate Story

The K2 is a 16-episode K-drama series about an ex-Korean Special Forces, ex-private military mercenary (Ji Chang-wook) who becomes an internationally wanted fugitive after being framed for a crime he didn’t commit while stationed in Iraq.  Returning to South Korea, he attempts to live a lie-low, incognito life, but circumstance leads him to clash with a ruthless, scheming chaebol madam named Choi Yoo-jin (Sang Yoon-ah), after she deems him a threat to her plot of winning the presidency for her husband Jang Se-joon (Jo Sung-ha), a corrupt, womanizing but charismatic assemblyman.  But, in a twist of fate, he surprisingly gains the favor and admiration of Madam Choi, and he reluctantly allies himself with her since it puts him in the position of taking revenge against the man who wronged him, which happens to be one of Madam Choi’s enemies and her husband’s biggest rival for the presidency.  He begins to work as a bodyguard for Madam Choi’s security firm and is given the alias “Kim Je-ha”, codenamed “K2.”

Mid-Season Chain of Thoughts on The DCW Universe

The CW’s DC shows have just gone on mid-season breaks last week.  I’ve some random musings (SPOILER warning, of course):
→ The CW’s DC shows should be collectively called “The DCW (combining DC and CW) Universe.”

→ The first-ever crossover event between Supergirl, Flash, Arrow, and Legends of Tomorrow was a lot of fun.  Though, I think, Flash and Supergirl’s first meeting is still my favorite.

→ If truly scrutinized, the whole crossover was actually choppy.  It also has tons of clichés, packed with unpleasantly angsty drama, out-of-character decisions, and characters coming in and out of each installment.  It’s probably due to the budgetary and logistical strains that such project entails.

Watching 'Westworld' Is a Struggle, but Also Rewarding

I’m a big Michael Crichton fan.  He’s at his best when writing novels, but he has also done projects for TV (the hit 90’s show E.R.) and film.  And the most notable movie he made (meaning, he not only wrote the screenplay but also served as its director) was Westworld.  I enjoyed it, of course.  It’s thrilling and smart.  But this new HBO TV series of the same name, which is loosely based on the movie, has achieved a higher level of quality storytelling.

'Legends of the Hidden Temple: The Movie' Is Enjoyably Nostalgic, but Also Objectively Corny and Dumb

Legends of the Hidden Temple was an awesome show.  As a kid, I extremely loved it.  It was my most favorite game show.  I even created my own version of the “Temple Run” segment, and led my childhood friends to be “contestants” for it.  And even later in life, it still had an effect on me as there was a time when I was a teen that I constantly uttered “Let’s rock!” as an expression (unconsciously stolen from Olmec).

Thus, as a huge fan, I was greatly looking forward to this TV movie based on it.

'Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World-' Isn't Quite a Standout, but Still Fascinating and Entertaining

I had initially put off watching Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World- because of its premise’s similarity with KonoSuba (also an anime series that debuted this year), and I thought it would probably feel like watching a “reinvention” of KonoSuba.  Moreover, if it turns out doing things inferiorly compared to KonoSuba, I might fail to enjoy it by itself.  But with no available new anime series I find intriguing enough to watch, I ended up watching Re:Zero.  And, true enough, I find KonoSuba better – primarily because it’s utterly hilarious and clever.

However, Re:Zero isn’t  bad at all.  It’s quite entertaining on its own.

A Brief Reflection on Taking Risks, Spurring from Watching 'David Blaine: Beyond Magic'

Three years after his last one, David Blaine finally had another TV special, David Blaine: Beyond Magic, which aired earlier this month.  I found it not as fascinating and mindblowing as when I watched his earlier TV specials as a kid/teen, since, at this point, I already have familiarity with what his deal is.  The special was entertaining, but gone was the enchanting novelty.

If you don’t know who David Blaine is, he’s just one of the world’s most famous and groundbreaking magicians of all time.  Through his TV specials, he became well-known for doing shocking close-up street magic, which can only be explained by one of the following reasons: a.) the featured spectators had been part of the act all along; b.) he had sold his soul to Baphomet, and thus, he’s actually performing legit sorcery and telepathy; or c.) he’s simply a real-life amalgamation of every magician in Now You See Me – a master hypnotist, illusionist, and con man rolled into one.

In Beyond Magic, he does a new set of astonishing, seemingly impossible tricks (my favorite was when he does a card trick over a video call, with the one he’s calling the one actually doing the handling of the cards).  This time (like with the case with his 2013 special), the audience he performs his tricks for are celebrities.  Having famous people like Johnny Depp, Steph Curry, Margot Robbie, Emma Stone, Jennifer Lawrence, and David Beckham (to name some) be stunned, frightened, and grossed out by Blaine do make the whole thing more enjoyable than having random, ordinary people.

'Black Mirror' Season 3 Episodes, Ranked

I first learned of Black Mirror back in 2014 when a Christmas special titled “White Christmas” was released; it ended up being one of the best things I’ve seen on TV that year.

“White Christmas” became the gateway for me to the rest of Black Mirror, as I sought and binge its previous two seasons.  It’s quite easy to binge, really, since each season only had three episodes – so, six episodes in all.  Moreover, I found it legitimately addictive to watch, since it felt like the spiritual successor of The Twilight Zone, a classic show that I extremely love.

I actually thought that Black Mirror was done already, since a season three didn’t come immediately after the Christmas special.  But much to my delight, it was announced last year that Netflix has decided to revive it, ordering twelve new episodes – that’s double the total amount (minus the Christmas special) of the previous seasons’ episodes!  These twelve were originally intended to be all packaged in a season three release, but were later divided into seasons three and four.

This October, season three has arrived, bringing the first six episodes.  I’ve recently finished watching them, and my overall assessment is that Black Mirror has remained as gripping, thought-provoking, and terrifying as I’ve last remembered it.  Still, let me briefly give my thoughts on each episode and rank them from least to best…

In 'Schwarzesmarken', an Alien Invasion Is Not Enough to Stop the Cold War from Happening

Schwarzesmarken is 12-episode anime series that serves as a prequel to the Muv-Luv Alternative visual novel and also Muv-Luv Alternative: Total Eclipse anime.  Maybe.  I’m not really sure.  Muv-Luv is such a confusing franchise of alternate timelines, and I haven’t encountered any of its titles prior to Schwarzesmarken.  Fortunately, as the very first story in its chronological timeline, its premise and plot can be understood without any prior knowledge of the rest of Muv-Luv lore.  It can be enjoyed on its own.

'Beautiful Mind' Is the 'House' of K-Drama

I was deeply immersed with Luke Cage, but with a few episodes left, my watching was temporarily brought to a halt by Beautiful Mind.  It was so good that I couldn’t stop watching it, deferring my time on it instead of finishing Luke Cage.  Just like with Bring It On, Ghost, I never expected that I would like it so much.

Actually, the K-Drama I was about to get into next was W – Two Worlds.  I had already seen the first three or four episodes, and I found it promising.  However, some friends who had seen it ahead of me dissuaded me from continuing, since they said it gets real bad later on.  In addition, the reactions I read from some K-drama forums and blogs were not enthusiastic enough for me to stir my curiosity.  Thus, I dropped W.  Someone recommended that I go watch Beautiful Mind instead.  So I did... and I was blown away by how interesting it is.

'Luke Cage' Is a Very Enjoyable, Utterly Black Superhero TV Series

The super-strong, bulletproof Luke Cage is one of the most, if not the most, iconic African-American comic book superheroes ever.  Yes, he’s identified as a legitimate superhero.  He’s an Avenger, and has stood among the likes of Captain America, Spider-Man, Iron Man, and Wolverine.  But he’s probably the most distinctively practical and down-to-earth among them.  Though he used to be known as “Power Man”, he has long abandoned carrying a superhero codename, and has become more popular with Luke Cage, the new name he had assumed.  He also doesn’t wear a superhero costume, donning street clothes instead.  Most notably, he’s a “hero for hire.”  While his peers do superheroing pro bono or receive regular checks from the government, he makes a living by charging a fee for his superhero services.  However, he makes the whole thing work in a way that doesn’t make him less of a hero.

He’s such a unique, interesting superhero that I believe he deserves his own full-length movie.  Actually, if it had been up to me, the character would have had entered the Marvel Cinematic Universe through a Heroes for Hire or Luke Cage movie, with The Rock playing the role.  However, Mike Colter as Luke Cage in another excellent 13-episode Marvel/Netflix series is sufficient consolation.

'Bring It on, Ghost' Is Surprisingly a Lot of Fun

Bring It On, Ghost – alternately known as Let’s Fight, Ghost or Hey Ghost, Let’s Fight – surprised the heck out of me.  After finding Doctors a let-down, I thought I might give watching K-drama a rest (also, because the fall season of American TV shows has come; I need more time for that).  But reading about Bring It On, Ghost’s premise made me curious enough to give the first episode a try.  I immediately found the tone and the execution of the premise very enjoyable.  I also became interested on where the arcs could be going.  Hence, I was compelled to watch the entire 16-episode series.  I wasn’t expecting that I would have this much fun with it.

It tells the story of a college student named Park Bong-pal (Ok Taec-yeon) who grew up with the ability to see ghosts.  He works part-time as an exorcist, beating up and banishing ghosts for a fee, and hopes to save enough money so he can pay to have his ability removed.  One night, he encounters a feisty, amnesiac high school ghost named Kim Hyun-ji (Kim So-hyun).  They scuffle, which result to an accidental kiss that triggers Hyun-ji to remember some vague memories when she was still alive.  Realizing that Bong-pal might be the key for her to remember her past and “move on”, she badgers him for his help.  Bong-pal agrees.  But in exchange, Hyun-ji has to help him fight ghosts.  As their ghost fighting partnership progresses and flourishes, they begin to develop feelings for each other as well as learn the secrets that connect their pasts.

'Doctors' Is a Middling Medical Drama

My expectation for Doctors was that it was going to be a remarkable medical thriller.  But though some interesting medical cases were touched upon, Doctors is no thriller at all.  It’s primarily a romantic drama which happens to have doctor characters and set in a hospital.  The medical aspect felt incidental.

The series is about two neurosurgeons who first met when the girl (Park Shin-hye) was still a high school student with a gangster personality and the man (Kim Rae-won), a freshly minted doctor taking a sabbatical, was her Biology and homeroom teacher.  The teacher influenced and inspired her to redirect the path of her life to a meaningful direction.  However, circumstances led them to have somewhat of a falling out.  Thirteen years later, they reunite as co-workers in the neurology department of a hospital, reconnect, and start a love affair.

Chain of Thoughts: So I've Finally Got into Reading 'A Song of Ice and Fire' and Watching 'Game of Thrones'

I’ve been aware of Game of Thrones – probably the most talked about TV show in the past years – for quite a while now.  However, I kept on putting off getting into it myself.  I admit that I was somewhat intimidated by the sheer scope of the mythology that it has already developed.  I felt that immersing myself into it won’t be easy (it’s the same thing I felt before I got into Doctor Who), and I just felt lazy to try.  Also, ideally, I want to first read all available A Song of Ice and Fire books first before I dive into the show.

Nonetheless, Game of Thrones is such a significant show that it has been constantly referenced everywhere – interviews, blogs, social media, forums, etc.; thus, I had come to become familiar with its key characters, scenes, plot twists, plot points, and fan theories – giving me a general understanding on what’s it about and what’s going on with it.  Still, that didn’t make me a fan.

But one of the birthday gifts I received last June was A Game of Thrones, Book One of the ASoIaF series.  Hence, obsessive geek that I am, I’m not comfortable with just reading and having that one book.  I was compelled to get all other available ASoIaF books – A Class of Kings, A Storm of Swords, A Feast for Crows, and A Dance with Dragons – for my collection, and so that I can finally read a series that many have considered one of the best works of fantasy of all time (heck, some even dare to sacrilegiously state that it’s better than Lord of the Rings).  And since I had finally begun reading the books, watching the show consequently followed.  After years of putting it off, I finally did it – I finally got into AsOIaF and GoT.

And now, I’ve just recently finished reading A Dance with Dragons and watching season six of Game of Thrones.  Here are some thoughts:

After Nearly Two Decades, 'Pokémon' Still Refuses to Let Ash Win

I had long stopped watching Pokémon.  I had grown out of it when I was a teen – though I was able to watch some episodes and movies that my younger sister was watching then.  But when she also grew herself out of her Pokémon fandom (she’s now a teen), there were no longer any opportunities that piqued my interest to check it out.

Until the latest episodes of Pokémon XYZ series that is.  It drew my curiosity when I got wind of the buzz that Ash could finally win a Pokemon League at last.  It seems that Ash has finally upped his game, becoming a more proficient trainer than he was in years past, and he makes it into the finals for the first time (the furthest he had reached prior to this was in the Final Four), versus Alain.

The Duffer Brothers Channel Stephen King and Steven Spielberg with 'Stranger Things'

Stranger Things is the first non-Marvel Netflix show I’ve watched.  It’s set during the early 1980’s in a small Indiana town called Hawkins, and tells the tale of the mysterious disappearance of 12-year-old Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) and the ensuing search and investigation conducted by his mother Joyce (Winona Ryder); brother Jonathan (Charlie Heaton); best friends Mike Wheeler (Finn Wolfhard), Dustin Henderson (Gaten Matarazzo), and Lucas Sinclair (Caleb McLaughlin); and the local police led by Chief Jim Hopper (David Harbour).   An enigmatic psychokinetic girl named Eleven (Millie Bobbie Brown), shady government agents, top secret experiments, and a sinister extra-dimensional entity are also in the mix.   I won’t give anymore plot details since this is best enjoyed when one just has a vague idea on what it’s all about.

Steampunk, Zombie, and Jidaigeki Genres Converge in 'Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress'

Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress (Kōtetsujō no Kabaneri) is set in a steampunk version of feudal Japan wherein a zombie apocalypse has forced humans to live inside fortified “stations”, which are connected by railways and the only means of travel between them are by armored trains called “Hayajiro.”  However, it’s not uncommon for stations and trains to be attacked and overwhelmed by the zombies, which are called Kabane.  The Kabane are very difficult to defeat since they are undead and can only be “killed” when their glowing hearts are pierced.  However, their hearts are covered with an iron-like layer that is difficult to penetrate.  Someone wounded by a Kabane is immediately infected and will shortly transform into a Kabane.  Hence, it’s a general and expected practice for newly infected people – especially warriors – to commit suicide before transforming into one.  Dealing with this kind of situation, humans live in widespread and constant dread and paranoia.